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Metals – A highly circular industry
Circular Valley
How can the metals sector advance circularity while navigating rising demand, resource scarcity and geopolitical pressure?
In this panel from the Circular Valley Forum 2025, industry and policy leaders discuss the opportunities and constraints of creating a more circular metals system. The speakers include Inge Hofkens, COO at Aurubis, Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold, CEO of Salzgitter Flachstahl, Bruno Pelli from Vale in Brazil, Dr. Ing. Paul Mählitz from the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA) and Dr. Matthias Koehler, Deputy Director General for Raw Material Policy, Circular Economy and Resource Protection at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
The panel explores recycling limits, alloying element recovery, the role of scrap in decarbonisation, and how global market dynamics shape European resource strategies.
This episode is part of our series in collaboration with Circular Valley and features sessions recorded at the Circular Valley Forum 2025.
People
Inge Hofkens, COO Aurubis.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingehofkens/
Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold, CEO Salzgitter Flachstah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-heike-denecke-arnold/
Bruno Pelli, VALE, Brazil.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunopelli/
Dr. Ing. Paul Mählitz, DERA.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmhltz/
Dr. Matthias Koehler, Deputy Director General - Raw Material Policy, Circular Economy, Resource Protection, BMWK.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-koehler-1a36b0122/
Prof. Jan Grossarth, University Biberach, Editor.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-grossarth-b2a4031b3/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Panel Welcome
04:42 Steel's Green Transformation
07:58 Copper Recycling: Rates, Barriers and Energy
13:37 Alloying Elements and Critical Raw Materials
19:26 Germany's Urban Mine Potential
21:43 Raw Materials as Strategic Security
28:19 Vale's Circular Business from Brazil
32:17 Closing Reflections
About
Circular Valley is a European hub for circular economy innovation, bringing together international startups, industry, science and policymakers to accelerate the shift toward circular value creation. It is based in Wuppertal, one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions, and supports cross-sector collaboration to close material loops, advance enabling policy and increase public understanding of circular solutions.
Further Links
https://circular-valley.org/
View all episodes
By Patrick Hypscher
5
11 ratings
Circular Valley
How can the metals sector advance circularity while navigating rising demand, resource scarcity and geopolitical pressure?
In this panel from the Circular Valley Forum 2025, industry and policy leaders discuss the opportunities and constraints of creating a more circular metals system. The speakers include Inge Hofkens, COO at Aurubis, Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold, CEO of Salzgitter Flachstahl, Bruno Pelli from Vale in Brazil, Dr. Ing. Paul Mählitz from the German Mineral Resources Agency (DERA) and Dr. Matthias Koehler, Deputy Director General for Raw Material Policy, Circular Economy and Resource Protection at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
The panel explores recycling limits, alloying element recovery, the role of scrap in decarbonisation, and how global market dynamics shape European resource strategies.
This episode is part of our series in collaboration with Circular Valley and features sessions recorded at the Circular Valley Forum 2025.
People
Inge Hofkens, COO Aurubis.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingehofkens/
Dr. Heike Denecke-Arnold, CEO Salzgitter Flachstah.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-heike-denecke-arnold/
Bruno Pelli, VALE, Brazil.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunopelli/
Dr. Ing. Paul Mählitz, DERA.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmhltz/
Dr. Matthias Koehler, Deputy Director General - Raw Material Policy, Circular Economy, Resource Protection, BMWK.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthias-koehler-1a36b0122/
Prof. Jan Grossarth, University Biberach, Editor.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-grossarth-b2a4031b3/
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Panel Welcome
04:42 Steel's Green Transformation
07:58 Copper Recycling: Rates, Barriers and Energy
13:37 Alloying Elements and Critical Raw Materials
19:26 Germany's Urban Mine Potential
21:43 Raw Materials as Strategic Security
28:19 Vale's Circular Business from Brazil
32:17 Closing Reflections
About
Circular Valley is a European hub for circular economy innovation, bringing together international startups, industry, science and policymakers to accelerate the shift toward circular value creation. It is based in Wuppertal, one of Europe’s most dynamic economic regions, and supports cross-sector collaboration to close material loops, advance enabling policy and increase public understanding of circular solutions.
Further Links
https://circular-valley.org/